Tue 24 January 2012

Authorised Lay Ministry Information Evenings

For people to find out more and ask questions. Monday 12 March, the Old Palace, Worcester, Tuesday 27 March, Christ Church, Lye, Stourbridge. 7.30 til 9pm.

Checklist for Events

The Churches' Legislation Advisory Service has put together a checklist of things churches should bear in mind when organising occasional events such as community celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee, the Olympics, as well as concerts, church fetes etc.

CLAS occasional events checklist

Online Cathedral shop

The Cathedral shop is now online! It is starting small, but will be growing - why not have a look for your church supplies, candles, etc. http://www.worcestercathedral.co.uk/Shop_online.php

The only Easter Egg to feature the Easter Story

Details below of the Real Easter Egg campaign for 2012 & how to order. We'd like to do media promotion locally, so if any school/parish used the Egg last year in activities, please get in touch! Sam, Communications Officer: ssetchell@cofe-worcester.org.uk read more >>

Retired Clergy Association

Retired Clergy, husbands and wives, widows and widowers, are meeting on Wednesday 21st March at 10.45 am in The Abbots Kitchen at The Old Palace in Worcester. read more >>

Giving Chaplaincy a Voice

Why not get a chaplain to preach on Sunday 20th May? The Black Country Urban Industrial Mission, a partnership of the major denominations, including the dioceses of Worcester and Lichfield, is coordinating a “Chaplaincy Sunday”. read more >>

Pray One for Me

A couple of numbers to pull us churchgoers up short: A recent internet search for the word “Spirituality” returned 29 million UK web pages. Research by Tearfund in 2007 suggests that 20 million adults in the country pray – that’s 42% of the population read more >>

Teenage pregnancy: A challenge for our churches

workshop for clergy and youth workers to raise awareness of the issues and look at ways we may address them in our parishes. Saturday 25 February, 9.30am to 3.30pm, St Michael’s Church, Stourport read more >>

A Day of Reflection and Celebration for Single Clergy

There are still places for any clergy who are single - through whatever circumstance - on a day being organised jointly by Sarah Cooke and Susannah Izzard (Bishop's Advisers in Pastoral Care and Counselling) for the Dioceses of Worcester and Birmingham. read more >>

Public Debate: Capitalism vs. Christ?

Are Christianity & Capitalism incompatible? St. John in Bedwardine Church, Wed 8 Feb, 7.30pm. Speakers: Angus Ritchie, Contextual Theology Centre, London, Alastair Findlay, Worcester DBF, Neil Laurenson, Green Party, Roger Saunders, Worcester Uni.

Science, Religion and Atheism Short Course

Run by The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion from 30th March to 1st April in Cambridge. We realise that this is a busy time for most, but felt that it was worth circulating in case there was any interest in attending. read more >>

Philosophy and Religion lectures

The Centre for Philosophy of Religion at Heythrop College has three public lectures scheduled for this term. Entry is free and there is a wine reception afterwards. You can register for these events by emailing: f.ellis@heythrop.ac.uk. read more >>

£10,000 prize for commissioning new art for parish churches

Parishes can apply for a £10,000 prize for the best proposal for commissioning a new work of art for their church thanks to a Church Buildings Council prize, generously funded by The Jerusalem Trust. read more >>

Free pack helps churches respond to the 2012 Games

A vast compendium of resources is now available to help churches make the most of their engagement with the 2012 Games. It comes from More than Gold, the agency set up by all the main denominations to help churches make the most of the Games. read more >>

Essentials of Community Development Training Course

From looking at alternative ways of using energy, to getting the most out of shared resources, the ECD programme focuses on how to develop sustainable communities in a time of challenging economic cuts. February and March, Cheltenham. read more >>

Summer scholarship opportunity for young organists

Royal School of Church Music is offering organ scholarships to two young organists at its Summer Course for Young People. The successful candidates will play the four-manual Klais organ in Bath's Abbey church; the setting for some of the choral services. read more >>

Tackling Poverty 2012 conference

Concerned about poverty in your parish? The Church Urban Fund conference may help you with ideas, resources, advice & support. Leeds, 18th April, 10.30–4; £10. Speakers incl: Archbishop Sentamu, John Bell from Iona, Helen Gatenby, M13 Youth Project http://tacklingpoverty2012.eventbrite.com/

Presentation on Sierra Leone

Worcester Reader Margaret Mandrell visted Sierra Leone in 2011 to work in a school, through a Worcestershire based charity. she would be happy to present to church groups: Please contact her on 01905 610689 or m.mandrell@gmail.com.

 http://www.waterlooschoolcharity/

Spring and summer events at St. John's college Nottingham

Looking for an affordable but high quality break this spring / summer? St John’s Nottingham has a number of stimulating spring or summer schools! read more >>

Palm Crosses from the Zulem Trust

Do you use Palm Crosses in your Church or Community? We invite you to try ours. They are made by members of the Church in Nongoma, Zululand, South Africa and are bookmark size. We invite a donation of £20 per 100 (crosses supplied in multiples of 50). read more >>